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Central City Commercial Historic DistrictCentral City Commercial Historic District · Photo: ArtisticAbode · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Central City · Central City Community School District

Central City’s public schools score below 85% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Central City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Math proficiency in Central City’s districts is 55%, below the Iowa average (64%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
67%
▼ 3 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
55%
▼ 9 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Spent per student
$12.8K
▼ 7% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.7
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
370 students on the public path
In brief

Central City’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 67% of tested students were proficient in reading and 55% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,762 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Central City High School. Enrollment is down 19% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Central City’s grade

C− Test scores

C−: better than 15% of Iowa school districts. Test scores are below the Iowa average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 15%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (479)Better than 12%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 290 test results could put Central City anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Central City’s students in the tested grades sat them (290 in math, 290 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Central City, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5Central City Elementary SchoolCentral City Community School DistrictC−
6–12Central City High SchoolCentral City Community School DistrictC

Central City’s public schools are run by Central City Community School District, which also serves Prairieburg. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Central City Community School DistrictGrades K–12 · 2 schools · 370 students, down 19% since 2020–21 · 9.7 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,762IA $13,713 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading67%
State average 69.7% · 290 students tested
Math55%
State average 63.8% · 290 students tested

Central City vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Central City’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Central CityC−Central City

Every school in Central City

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Central Cityby address
Central City Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
170 students9:1Rate it →
Central City High School
High · Grades 6–12
C
200 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Central City’s schools

Are Central City’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Central City children attend score below 85% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Central City in?

Central City Community School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 370 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

How much does Central City spend per student?

$12,762 in Central City Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Central City families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Central City → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.